Catholic Identity
Mercy Prayer
We pray for the Sisters of Mercy, who established our school and for the priests who have served at St. Mary’s.
It is through their vision, determination and strong faith that we enjoy the benefits of a Catholic Education here in Mooroopna.
We are proud to be a Mercy School, where the values of love and justice are taught and lived every day.
2022 Term 1 Week 5 Catholic Identity News
Ash Wednesday.
Ash Wednesday is one of the most popular and important holy days in the Catholic liturgical calendar. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a season of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
We are invited during Lent to pray more, give up something that we may enjoy (a food, social media, negative words) and to take up something (donating to St. Vinnie’s, cooking an extra meal for a friend or sharing time with others who may be alone).
The students participated in an Ash Wednesday liturgy today - prerecorded - and received the ashes, which were sprinkled on their heads, as part of this liturgy.
Special thanks to Mons. Peter for his wonderful, encouraging words in our liturgy today and to the amazing students who led us in prayer.
Project Compassion
As part of our annual Lenten support of Caritas Australia, the eldest child in each family received a Project Compassion box and information today.
Caritas is a Catholic agency that supports people in countries all over the world, including Australia, and aims to meet the needs of communities through discussion - discovering first what the communities need and then teaching them the skills to achieve these resources.
We appreciate your support of Caritas and Project Compassion by filling the boxes with spare change and returning the boxes by the end of this term. Perhaps money that was going to be spent on a night out or a meal could instead be placed in the Project Compassion box as part of almsgiving for Lent.
Grade Six Social Justice Leadership Team - Fundraiser for Project Compassion.
The Grade Six Social Justice Leadership Team have organised a Zooper Dooper Day, to be held on Thursday, 10th March at lunchtime. Zooper Doopers will be available for 50 cents each. All proceeds will be given to Project Compassion.
Sacramental Program
Discussions continue between the school and St. Mary’s parish regarding the 2022 Sacramental program.
Information will be forwarded to parents and families who have expressed interest in the program over the last year as soon as it becomes available.
ECSI Survey.
Schools in the Sandhurst Diocese regularly participate in the “Enhancing Catholic School Identity (ECSI)” survey; data gathered from Grade 5/6 students and all staff within the school relating to our Catholic Identity and Religious Education teaching and learning.
The ECSI survey will be conducted in the coming three weeks by a sample of our Grade 5/6 students and by all staff. Results of the data are shared with our school later in the year and make an excellent base for our School Improvement Plan and Catholic Identity goals for future years.
Catholic Identity Dates for Term One:
Wednesday, 2nd March - Ash Wednesday.
Monday, 7th March - Assembly Prayer - Grade 3/4LC
Thursday, 10th March - Zooper Dooper Fundraiser for Project Compassion.
Monday, 21st March - Assembly Prayer - Grade 3/4CT
Monday, 21st March - Harmony Day - Whole School Celebration of Diversity.
Friday, 25th March - Sandhurst Switches Off Day - Whole School Celebration.
Monday, 28th March - Assembly Prayer - Grade 1/2 FD
Monday, 4th April - Assembly Prayer - Grade 3/4JG
Friday, 8th April - Holy Week liturgies.
Thanking you,
Michelle Hicks